Lucitha Blanc and Daughter Jenelle Taunton, MA — A house explosion in Taunton, Massachusetts left a young mother and her daughter seriously injured on Wednesday morning, authorities and neighbors reported.
Lucitha Blanc, 25, and her 2‑year‑old daughter, Jenelle Germilus, were inside a three‑family home at 78 Plain Street when the blast occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m. local time.
According to Taunton Fire Chief Steven Lavigne, Blanc initially escaped the collapsing structure but, realizing her daughter was still inside, bravely re‑entered the burning building to rescue her. Both victims were found by emergency personnel at a neighboring house and taken to hospitals with severe burn injuries. Blanc was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, while Jenelle was taken to Hasbro Children’s Hospital for treatment.
First responders arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames, a total loss due to the force of the explosion. Eight residents were displaced, and two nearby houses also sustained significant fire damage. Fire crews, aided by equipment from the Taunton and Raynham departments, battled the blaze under challenging conditions left by recent heavy snowfall.
Blanc’s partner, Shnider Germilus, who was not home at the time, shared that he is grateful both his loved ones survived and remains hopeful for their recovery as they undergo treatment and, in some cases, surgery.
The Taunton Fire Department, Police Department, and the State Fire Marshal’s office are jointly investigating the cause of the explosion — including whether a gas line or other utility issue played a role — but no definitive cause has yet been released. Neighbors described the blast as shaking nearby homes, with some likening the sound to a tree being ripped from the ground.
A GoFundMe initiative has been established to assist the family and other affected residents as the community rallies to support those displaced by the disaster.
